The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Rebirth  

Yan Jingshu suddenly widened his eyes. Of course he remembered, how could he not? No matter how much time passed, no matter what happened, he would never forget this day. Because on this very day, during his grandmother’s sixtieth birthday celebration, an incident occurred that completely altered the course of his life, cutting off his future and forcing him onto a path he had never imagined.  

At the time, he had sunk into deep pain and despair over this incident, unable to free himself for a long time. But now, facing the same situation again, he felt not a trace of bitterness in his heart—only overwhelming gratitude and relief.  

Gratitude to the heavens for allowing him to return from death, and relief that not only had he been given a second chance at life, but he had also been sent back to the very beginning of it all, granting him the opportunity to make up for the regrets and misfortunes of his past life.  

“Shu’er, what’s wrong with you?” Seeing Yan Jingshu silent, his face alternating between tears and laughter, shock and excitement, the Duke of Anguo grew increasingly uneasy. Had he truly lost his mind?  

Snapped back to reality by the Duke’s voice, Yan Jingshu abruptly recalled his current situation. Suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart, he forced himself to calm down.  

“Father, I’m fine. I just woke up, and my mind is still a bit muddled.” A maid placed a large pillow behind him, and Yan Jingshu relaxed against the headboard, smiling faintly at the Duke.  

Seeing that Yan Jingshu’s speech had returned to normal and that he could understand him, the Duke finally let out a sigh of relief. “Good, good. As long as you’re fine.”  

As for Yan Jingshu’s apparent closeness to and defense of Jiang Chenghan, the Duke chose to ignore it. If his mind was still muddled from just waking up, then it must have been mere rambling.  

The Duke then asked, “Shu’er, do you remember what happened earlier? How did you return to your room, and what occurred afterward that caused you to fall unconscious?”  

Yan Jingshu, of course, remembered. At the time, he had only felt slightly intoxicated during the banquet, so he returned to his room to change clothes. There, the maid Qiulan brought him a bowl of sobering soup. After drinking it, he began to feel his body grow feverish and sluggish. Qiulan, thinking he was ill, helped him to bed. But before a physician could be summoned, waves of inexplicable heat surged through him, gradually burning away his consciousness.  

Hearing this, the Duke’s expression grew complicated. Considering that Yan Jingshu still didn’t know the full truth, he looked at him carefully and said in a measured tone, “Shu’er, don’t be upset. Listen to me calmly. You weren’t actually ill. The physician just examined you, you were drugged with an aphrodisiac, which caused your condition.”  

After speaking, the Duke noticed that Yan Jingshu merely nodded, his expression calm and unsurprised. Puzzled, he asked, “Shu’er, had you already guessed?”  

This time, Yan Jingshu shook his head. “At first, I didn’t know what was happening to me. But later, I heard it with my own ears.”  

“Heard it?!” The Duke was utterly shocked and immediately pressed, “What did you hear?”  

Yan Jingshu replied, “Though the drug made me lose control of my senses, I still remember everything I heard and saw at the time. I clearly heard a man and a woman. After confirming that I had indeed been drugged, one of them guarded the door to prevent others from discovering me inside, while the other went to lure someone over.”  

Pausing, Yan Jingshu looked at the Duke and continued, “Actually, I heard them say that their original plan was to lead Zhao Xian, the second son of the Marquis of Yongchang, to my room after I was drugged. But whether they mistook the person or something else went wrong, the one who ended up coming was Brother Jiang.”  

“They had intended to lock Brother Jiang in the room with me. Once he drank the drugged tea and lost control, he would have entangled himself with me. But they didn’t expect Brother Jiang to quickly notice me and realize something was wrong…”  

What happened afterward was something Yan Jingshu also knew, the Duke had told him after he woke up in his past life. But since the Duke hadn’t mentioned it yet this time, he could only pretend to be unaware.  

“So that’s how it was.” The Duke listened quietly, his brow furrowing slightly when he heard Zhao Xian’s name.  

He had heard of this man, he was a notorious playboy in the capital. Though his family was prestigious and his looks decent, his frivolous and dissolute behavior made him thoroughly detestable. The Duke couldn’t help but think that if Zhao Xian had indeed entered Yan Jingshu’s room today, even without the aphrodisiac, Yan Jingshu’s innocence might not have been preserved.  

The thought sent a chill down the Duke’s spine, and he couldn’t help but feel grateful that the one who had come today was Jiang Chenghan - a man of strong will and upright character. Sighing, he said, “It seems I wronged Jiang Chenghan.”  

Fortunately, he had listened to Jiang Chenghan’s explanation earlier and hadn’t immediately punished him. Otherwise, he would have repaid kindness with injustice.

“Brother Jiang was innocent in all this, he was only dragged into it because of me. Not only is he blameless, but he also did me a great favor. Please thank him properly on my behalf, Father. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll express my gratitude to him in person.” Yan Jingshu added.  

His tone was calm, though tinged with weakness, giving no hint of anything unusual. But only he knew how tightly he was clenching his hands to suppress the desperate urge to see Jiang Chenghan immediately.  

The memory of waiting at home in his past life for Jiang Chenghan, who never returned, only to finally receive his cold, broken corpse, still tore at his heart like a fresh wound.  

Back then, he had fallen gravely ill from grief. While preparing Jiang Chenghan's body for burial, he discovered strange marks on Jiang Chenghan’s body - evidence that he had been poisoned and murdered on the battlefield. This grim revelation alone kept him from joining Jiang Chenghan in death.    

Thankfully, heaven had taken pity on him, sending him back three years to the very beginning. This time, he would protect Jiang Chenghan just as Jiang Chenghan had protected him in their past life. He would never allow Jiang Chenghan to be harmed again.  

“Of course. I would have done so even without you saying so. But Jiang Chenghan is the least of our concerns right now. The most pressing matter is finding out who tried to harm you.”  

The Duke was not the type to let his status cloud his judgment. Since he knew he had wronged Jiang Chenghan, he would apologize and thank him as necessary.  

But compared to that, he was far more worried about Yan Jingshu. The mastermind behind this plot was still remained uncaught, and there was no telling whether they would strike again if their first attempt failed. Thus, the priority was to uncover the truth and identify the culprit. Fortunately, Yan Jingshu had heard the voices of the man and woman involved, providing at least some clues to work with.  

Yan Jingshu, however, was not as concerned as the Duke. He knew exactly who was behind this—because in his past life, that person had personally confessed everything to him. How much that person resented him, how that person had schemed to ruin him. On the day he left the capital in his past life, that person had stood before him with malicious satisfaction and revealed it all.  

But if he revealed the name now, his father would never believe him. Without solid evidence, speaking rashly would only alert the culprit, making things more difficult.  

With this in mind, Yan Jingshu said, “Father, today is Grandmother’s birthday banquet. With so many guests in the residence, it wouldn’t be proper for you to stay away for long. You should return to the main hall. As for the person who tried to harm me, I did overhear some clues from that man and woman, but we still need to verify them. Since I’m in no state to see anyone right now, leave Uncle Zhong with me. I’ll ask him to investigate on my behalf. Also, Mother has been working tirelessly for Grandmother’s banquet. To avoid distressing her, let’s wait until the truth is fully uncovered before telling her.”  

In his past life, though he had known his mother had never liked him, he hadn’t connected her to this incident. After regaining consciousness, he had told her everything, expecting her to stand up for him. Instead, she had swiftly silenced the witnesses and destroyed all evidence, even forging a confession that framed the two culprits’ actions as retaliation for his past cruelty and mistreatment - adding another layer of shame to his already tarnished reputation.  

But this time, he wouldn’t give her the chance.  

Unaware of Yan Jingshu’s thoughts, the Duke still found his reasoning sound. As the head of the Duke of Anguo’s household, his prolonged absence from the banquet would be disrespectful to the guests and could spark unwanted rumors. As for the Duchess, with guests still present, informing her now would only distract and worry her. It was better to keep it hidden until the investigation was complete.  

“Very well. I’ll leave Yan Zhong with you. But you must take care of yourself, don’t overexert your mind. If anything happens, send someone to inform me immediately.” After weighing the options, the Duke agreed to Yan Jingshu’s suggestion, though he repeatedly emphasized caution.  

Yan Jingshu naturally agreed to everything. Only then did the Duke stand up and leave the inner chamber. But just as the Duke lifted the bed curtains, Yan Jingshu’s peripheral vision caught a familiar figure.  

His heart trembled. Yan Jingshu turned his head, and time seemed to slow—the pale bed curtains were drawn aside inch by inch, gradually revealing a silhouette etched deep into his soul. In an instant, his eyes turned red, his breath caught in his throat. He pressed his lips tightly together to stifle a sob.  

It might have been just a moment, or it might have been an eternity—but when the curtains fell back into place, obscuring that figure, Yan Jingshu’s gaze remained fixed for a long time.  

On the other side of the curtains, Jiang Chenghan seemed to sense something. But by the time he looked over, the Duke had already stepped out. Over the Duke’s shoulder, he could only vaguely make out the slender, frail figure reclining against the headboard behind the curtains.

The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Regaining Consciousness

When Jiang Chenghan said he had been knocked unconscious, Kou Shijun immediately showed concern. Fortunately, Jiang Chenghan had only suffered superficial injuries and was fine, so Kou Shijun relaxed and then asked, "Do you still remember what the servant who led you looked like? If you do, we can find him and question him."  

Jiang Chenghan shook his head and said, "The servant was short and kept his head bowed the whole time. I didn’t get a clear look at his face."  

Kou Shijun frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked further, "Aside from the food and wine at the banquet, did you eat or drink anything else today at the Duke’s residence?"  

Kou Shijun had witnessed many underhanded schemes in his life, so as soon as he heard Jiang Chenghan describe his discomfort, he guessed that Jiang Chenghan must have been drugged—hence the question.  

Jiang Chenghan thought for a moment and replied, "Other than the banquet’s food and wine, I only drank a cup of tea that the servant brought while I was waiting for him. I didn’t eat or drink anything else. However, the teacup is now missing."  

Kou Shijun’s frown deepened, and he looked troubled. "The teacup was likely taken away and destroyed to prevent any traces from being found later. As for the servant who led you and served the tea, he’s probably untraceable now. But without evidence, how can you prove your innocence?"  

After speaking, Kou Shijun couldn’t help but glance at the Duke of Anguo, who had been silently listening the whole time. Jiang Chenghan’s account was merely his own word without any supporting evidence. Kou Shijun believed him, but the Duke might not.  

Jiang Chenghan was aware of this as well, which was why he hadn’t immediately tried to justify himself to the Duke earlier. Instead, he first requested a physician to examine Yan Jingshu.  

As a man of little influence, Jiang Chenghan knew the Duke wouldn’t take him seriously or easily believe him. But Yan Jingshu was different. Whether Yan Jingshu had been forced by him or if both of them had been framed would become clear once Yan Jingshu woke up.  

As for whether Yan Jingshu might falsely accuse him, Jiang Chenghan wasn’t worried. He and Yan Jingshu had no prior grievances, and the truth was something Yan Jingshu knew well. If Yan Jingshu falsely accused him, Jiang Chenghan wouldn't take it lying down, and Kou Shijun's support would add weight to his stance. If the matter escalated, it would bring no benefit to Yan Jingshu or the entire Duke’s household. Jiang Chenghan believed Yan Jingshu wouldn’t do something so self-destructive.  

Thinking this, Jiang Chenghan smiled at Kou Shijun and said, "General, there’s no need to worry. Once Young Master Yan wakes up, my innocence will be proven."  

Seeing Jiang Chenghan’s confident and relaxed demeanor, Kou Shijun felt slightly reassured. Besides waiting for Yan Jingshu to wake up, there was nothing else they could do for now, so he said no more.  

The Duke of Anguo remained silent the whole time, his expression unreadable. When Jiang Chenghan expressed his confidence, the Duke merely glanced at him, neither affirming nor denying anything.  

With no one speaking, the hall fell into abrupt silence. Before long, the elderly physician emerged from the inner chamber with his medical kit and addressed the Duke: "I have administered acupuncture to the young master. His fever has subsided, and he should regained consciousness shortly."  

"In that case, many thanks," the Duke said, rising to express his gratitude before subtly signaling to the steward beside him.  

The steward then took out a red envelope from his sleeve and handed it to the physician.  

At this moment, Kou Shijun stepped forward and said to the physician, "Doctor, if you would, please examine him as well." The "him" he referred to was naturally Jiang Chenghan.  

Even if the drugged teacup couldn’t be found, traces of the aphrodisiac should still be detectable in Jiang Chenghan’s body, which could corroborate his account.  

The physician naturally didn’t refuse and immediately proceeded to examine Jiang Chenghan. After observing, listening, questioning, and checking his pulse, the physician withdrew his hand and confidently informed everyone present that Jiang Chenghan indeed showed symptoms of having ingested an aphrodisiac.  

However, Jiang Chenghan’s constitution was much stronger than Yan Jingshu’s, so the effects weren’t as severe, allowing him to move freely now. Still, his vitality had been somewhat depleted, and he needed several days of proper rest.  

The physician’s words confirmed Jiang Chenghan’s account, greatly reassuring Kou Shijun. After thanking the physician, he also presented a generous fee. The physician was then escorted out of the residence by the steward’s men.  

Kou Shijun wanted to say something more to the Duke, but at that moment, a maid’s tearful, joyous cry came from the inner chamber through the draped curtains.

"Young Master, Young Master, you're finally awake. Master, the Young Master is awake!"  

"Shu'er is awake?! Wonderful—" The Duke of Anguo immediately turned and strode into the inner chamber.  

Considering that Yan Jingshu might currently be in an inconvenient state and unlikely to receive outsiders, Jiang Chenghan and Kou Shijun did not follow the Duke into the inner chamber but remained in the main hall instead.  

Arriving at the bedside and seeing that Yan Jingshu had indeed opened his eyes, the Duke's smile widened, and he repeatedly said, "Good, good, you’re finally awake. That’s all that matters."  

"...Father?" Yan Jingshu blinked, his gaze toward the man before him filled with confusion, as if he didn’t recognize him.  

"It’s me, your father. I’m here." The Duke assumed Yan Jingshu was still disoriented from just waking up and sat by the bed, soothing him gently. "Shu'er, don’t be afraid. Your father is here. It’s alright now, nothing to fear... Tell me, did that Jiang Chenghan mistreat you? If he truly wronged you, I will stand by you and make sure he pays for it."  

"How could that be?" Yan Jingshu frowned, puzzled by his father’s words. He didn’t want his father to think poorly of Jiang Chenghan, so he said, "Chenghan has always treated me well, never once mistreating me. Father, don’t misunderstand him."  

The Duke was stunned by Yan Jingshu’s casual use of "Chenghan." He had expected Yan Jingshu to accuse Jiang Chenghan of drugging and attempting to force himself on him, or perhaps, as Jiang Chenghan had claimed, that both had been framed. But he never imagined Yan Jingshu would speak of Jiang Chenghan with such familiarity and even defend him in front of him.  

This left the Duke deeply perplexed. After all, Jiang Chenghan had only returned to the capital from the northern border with General Kou Shijun less than ten days ago to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. Meanwhile, Yan Jingshu had just returned home yesterday from his studies at Mushan Academy and hadn’t left the house since. Before today, the two should have had no opportunity to meet or know each other.  

He distinctly remembered that when Kou Shijun first brought Jiang Chenghan to the estate and he introduced Yan Jingshu, the two had clearly acted like strangers. Had they been hiding their acquaintance? But why would they do that?  

Unable to make sense of it, the Duke asked Yan Jingshu directly, "Shu'er, did you know Jiang Chenghan before today?"  

Yan Jingshu had just woken up, his mind still foggy and his body weak. His earlier response had been almost instinctive. Now fully awake, Yan Jingshu was deeply confused by the Duke's question.

Why is Father asking this? Of course I know Jiang Chenghan. We've been married for almost three years. How could we not know each other

Puzzled, Yan Jingshu was about to voice his confusion when something flashed through his mind, freezing him in place. After a brief moment of shock, he abruptly sat up, staring down at his hands with an expression of disbelief and dawning realization.  

Hadn’t I died? 

After finally uncovering clues about the people responsible for Jiang Chenghan’s death, he had been discovered, chased to a cliff by his pursuers, and ultimately fell to his demise. Had he somehow survived and been rescued, then brought back home?  

"Father, how did I end up at home? Who saved me? Who brought me back?" Overwhelmed with confusion, Yan Jingshu clutched the Duke’s sleeve and pressed for answers.  

The Duke had been waiting for Yan Jingshu’s reply, only to be met with questions instead. His son’s words only deepened his bewilderment, and he frowned slightly. "Shu'er, what are you talking about? Who saved you? Who brought you back? You’ve been at home all along."  

"What? How could that be? But..." The Duke’s answer did nothing to ease Yan Jingshu’s shock—if anything, it left him even more disoriented.  

Just then, the steward approached to report that a maid, sent by the Dowager Lady, had come to summon Yan Jingshu. The Marquis of Xinyang and his heir had received urgent news from their household and needed to leave early, so the Dowager Lady requested the Second Young Master to see them off.  

The Duke’s expression turned troubled. Yan Jingshu was still weak, he could barely get out of bed, let alone escort guests. He instructed the steward to inform the maid that Yan Jingshu was currently assisting him in entertaining an important guest and couldn’t leave. He asked the Duchess to handle the farewell instead.  

Today was his mother’s birthday, and she doted on her grandson. If she learned he was ill, she would surely come to see him. But with the matter of Jiang Chenghan still unresolved, the Duke feared the shock might harm her health, so it was better to keep it hidden for now.  

The steward left to relay the message, but Yan Jingshu was stunned once more.  

Is this real? Or am I dreaming?

His grandmother had passed away in autumn of the 26th year of Zhengde, the second year of his marriage.  

At that time, he had been far away in Yancheng, up north. By the time he received word of her critical condition and rushed back to the capital day and night, she had already been buried, and he hadn’t even been able to see her one last time. Yet according to the steward, his grandmother was still alive.

Seeing Yan Jingshu silent and dazed, the Duke grew concerned. He wondered if the aphrodisiac’s effects had been so severe that they damaged his mind. He had heard of cases where high fevers from illness left people mentally impaired. No longer eager to press for answers, he stood up, intending to consult the physician again.  

But Yan Jingshu grabbed his sleeve, his voice urgent and tinged with disbelief. "Father, what day is it today?"  

The Duke froze, studying Yan Jingshu’s expression carefully before replying softly, "Today is the third day of the seventh month in the 20th year of Zhengde, your grandmother’s 60th birthday. Don’t you remember?"

The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Full Story  

The Duke of Anguo was not an impulsive or hot-tempered man, but when it concerned his own son, he couldn’t help but grow anxious and agitated. So much so that he had even forgotten to call for a physician, it was Jiang Chenghan who had to remind him. After listening to Jiang Chenghan’s explanation, though the Duke was still furious, he retained enough rationality to consider Jiang Chenghan’s words.  

Of course, he wasn’t about to fully trust Jiang Chenghan’s account just yet, but he was now half-convinced. After all, if what Jiang Chenghan said was true, the situation would undoubtedly be far more complicated.  

Given the decades-long friendship between the Duke’s estate and the General’s estate, as well as his own son’s reputation and future, the Duke ultimately calmed down and decided to wait until Yan Jingshu woke up before making any decisions.  

Seeing that the Duke, though still glaring at him, had stopped ordering the servants to tie him up and ceased his threats, Jiang Chenghan said nothing further.  

They didn’t have to wait long. Soon, the servant Jiang Chenghan had sent to fetch a physician returned, supporting an elderly man with graying hair and beard as they hurried into the room. “The physician is here, the physician is here. Doctor Zhao, quick, please examine our young master!”  

The servant was in such a frantic rush that he didn’t even notice the Duke’s presence as he half-dragged the old physician toward the bed.  

It wasn’t until the Duke stood abruptly at the commotion that the servant was startled, quickly releasing the physician to bow in greeting.  

Hearing that the Duke was present, the old physician also hurriedly cupped his hands in salute. But the Duke, too worried about his son, strode forward and grasped the physician’s arm before he could complete the gesture, pulling him toward the bed with urgency. “No need for formalities, Elder. My son has been unconscious for some time now, and we don’t know the cause. I must trouble you to examine him at once.”  

The old physician, having practiced medicine for many years, knew that the patient’s well-being came first. After acknowledging the Duke, he opened the medical kit he carried with him and took out a pulse pillow.  

Once a maid pulled Yan Jingshu’s hand out from under the embroidered quilt, the physician immediately began taking his pulse, simultaneously asking when the symptoms had started and whether there had been any prior signs.  

The servants and maids, unaware of what had truly happened, could only exchange bewildered glances, unable to provide an answer. Eventually, all eyes turned to Jiang Chenghan.  

Jiang Chenghan did know some details. After a moment of contemplation, he carefully explained, “I’m not certain exactly when Young Master Yan’s condition began. When I first saw him, he was already burning with fever, drenched in sweat, and barely conscious… At the time, I also felt somewhat unwell myself. Fearing the worst, I had no choice but to strike the back of his neck with my hand to knock him out…”  

At this point, everyone in the room stared at Jiang Chenghan in shock, no one had expected that he was the one who had rendered Yan Jingshu unconscious. The Duke, in particular, shot Jiang Chenghan a furious glare. How dare this man, after harming his son, still claim innocence so boldly and unrepentantly? Truly despicable!  

Jiang Chenghan didn’t miss the Duke’s glare, but he felt no regret.  

Given Yan Jingshu’s frenzied state at the time, if he hadn’t acted swiftly to knock him out, who knew what disgraceful scene might have unfolded? That would have only brought greater trouble upon himself.  

Knocking Yan Jingshu out had been for the young master’s sake, and his own.  

Now, with Yan Jingshu’s health at stake, Jiang Chenghan couldn’t withhold the truth, lest it delay proper treatment. Besides, since he had done it, he had no reason to shy away from admitting it.  

Jiang Chenghan continued, “…Feeling that something was amiss, I tried to call for help. But as soon as I forced the door open and stepped outside, someone struck me from behind, knocking me out. The next thing I knew, I was woken by a maid’s scream. What happened to Young Master Yan during that time, I have no idea.”  

Though Jiang Chenghan spoke matter-of-factly, the strangeness of his account was impossible to miss.  

The Duke couldn’t help but recall Jiang Chenghan’s earlier claim that both he and Yan Jingshu had been framed. After a brief deliberation, he suppressed his anger once more, deciding to wait until Yan Jingshu regained consciousness. After all, Jiang Chenghan wasn’t going anywhere, he could deal with him once the truth came to light.  

With the Duke silent, no one else dared to speak.  

After listening to Jiang Chenghan’s account, the old physician pondered for a moment before withdrawing his hand, having finished taking Yan Jingshu’s pulse.  

The Duke immediately asked, “Physician, how is my son?”  

“Do not fret, Lord Duke,” the physician replied, putting away the pulse pillow as he addressed the Duke. “The young master’s condition is not serious. He has merely ingested an excessive amount of an aphrodisiac, which caused the fever, sweating, and delirium. Though his vital energy is somewhat depleted, with proper rest for a few days and nourishing foods to replenish his qi and blood, he will recover fully.”  

“An aphrodisiac?!” Though he had already suspected as much, hearing the physician confirm it still sent a jolt of alarm through the Duke. Suddenly remembering something crucial, he pressed further, “Physician, then my son’s… my son’s body, has it…”  

The Duke wanted to ask whether Yan Jingshu was still untouched—after all, Yan Jingshu was a shuang’er. While shuang'er could take wives and sire heirs, if they were deflowered by a man before marriage, they would lose the ability to impregnate women or other shuang’er, leaving them no choice but to marry like women.  

The Duke was not one to favor sons over daughters. He cherished all his children, be they sons, daughters, or shuang’er. But Yan Jingshu had been raised as a boy from childhood, and he was so outstandingly talented. If he were forced to lose his innocence and marry as a result of today’s events, how could he possibly accept it?  

The mere thought made the Duke’s heart ache unbearably, and he struggled to voice the question, afraid of hearing an answer he didn’t want.  

Under normal circumstances, the Duke’s fragmented words might have left the physician puzzled. But having just diagnosed Yan Jingshu with an aphrodisiac, and seeing the red mole between his brows marking him as a shuang’er, the old physician understood the unspoken implication without further explanation.  

Stroking his beard, he chuckled reassuringly. “Set your mind at ease, Lord Duke. The young master is perfectly unharmed, not a single blemish or irregularity to be found.”  

Hearing this, the Duke’s heart, which had been clenched in fear since the maid’s report, finally settled back into place.  

“Good, that’s good.” The Duke exhaled deeply in relief, his face breaking into a smile. But as he looked at Yan Jingshu’s tightly shut eyes, he couldn’t help but ask, “Then when will my son wake up?”  

The physician, retrieving an acupuncture kit from his bag, replied, “Once I administer needles to regulate his qi and blood, clear his meridians, and dispel the remaining drug effects, the young master will awaken.”  

“I see. Then I must trouble you further.”  

“You honor me, Lord Duke.”  

As the physician began applying the needles, the Duke withdrew from the inner chamber. Jiang Chenghan followed him out to the main hall. He thought that by now, the Duke should be calm enough to listen to him properly.  

“Chenghan, what’s going on? Why are you here? And why is Lord Yan present as well?” Just as Jiang Chenghan was about to speak, a familiar voice rang out. Turning around, he saw a middle-aged man in his fifties stride across the threshold, followed by the servant who had taken Jiang Chenghan’s token to summon help earlier.  

The newcomer was none other than Jiang Chenghan’s superior - General Kou Shijun. He had been attending the banquet in the main hall when a servant suddenly approached him with Jiang Chenghan’s token, urgently requesting his presence but unable to explain why.  

Though puzzled, Kou Shijun knew Jiang Chenghan to be steady and not one to cause trouble, nor was he easily bullied. His curiosity outweighed his concern, but upon arriving and seeing the Duke’s grim expression, his heart sank. Had Jiang Chenghan truly landed himself in serious trouble?  

“General.” Recognizing Kou Shijun’s worry, Jiang Chenghan offered a reassuring smile before recounting everything that had transpired.  

The incident had begun when he followed a servant to change clothes. As it was his first time at the Duke’s estate and he didn’t know his way around, he naturally went where the servant led him. Never imagining he might fall into a trap, he hadn’t been particularly vigilant.  

Only after being led to a quiet, elegantly furnished room and waiting for some time - without the servant returning with fresh clothes as promised, did he hear strange noises from the inner chamber. When he went to look, he found the Duke’s second son, Yan Jingshu, lying on the bed in disheveled robes, clearly not in his right mind.  

At the same time, Jiang Chenghan’s own body grew inexplicably hot and restless, his head swimming with dizziness.  

Though unsure what had happened to himself or Yan Jingshu, Jiang Chenghan instinctively knew he couldn’t stay. He retreated from the inner chamber, intending to leave while he still could. But when he tried the door, he found it locked from the outside.  

Though weakened, he mustered enough strength to break the door open. The exertion, however, sent his blood boiling and his mind reeling further, leaving him so unsteady that he failed to notice the person lying in wait outside—until a blow from behind knocked him unconscious.  

The next thing he knew, he was awakened by a maid’s scream.  

As Jiang Chenghan spoke, Kou Shijun’s frown deepened. He never expected this matter to involve the Duke’s second son, Yan Jingshu. No wonder the Duke was here, looking so thunderous.

The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Refusing to Take the Blame  

Jiang Chenghan was jolted awake by a piercing scream. The vigilance honed from years on the battlefield made him open his eyes instantly, and he instinctively tried to roll to his feet. However, his throbbing, dizzy head, weak and limp limbs, and the heavy weight pressing down on him left him momentarily immobilized.  

Looking down, he saw a figure lying on top of him—long, disheveled black hair veiling the face and most of the body. Their exposed skin was just as bare as his own, with only a thin blanket barely covering their waist and hips.  

After a brief moment of shock, Jiang Chenghan’s expression turned grave. Without hesitation, he mustered what little strength he could summon and shoved the unconscious figure off himself, rolling it onto the far side of the bed.  

Once the figure lay still, he pushed aside the tangled hair obscuring the face—revealing delicate, refined features.  

When Jiang Chenghan recognized the familiar face before him, realization dawned.  

This person was none other than Yan Jingshu, the second young master of the Duke of Anguo’s family. Not long ago, Jiang Chenghan had accompanied his superior to the Duke's residence for the Duke mother's birthday celebrations, where Yan Jingshu had assisted his father, the Duke, in receiving guests.  

But the Yan Jingshu before him now was nothing like the composed and dignified young man he had first met. His brows were slightly furrowed, his face flushed, his eyes tightly shut. His lips, tinged red, parted slightly as he let out rapid, labored breaths. His entire body was feverishly hot, radiating an unnatural warmth, his expression one of extreme discomfort.  

"Young Master Yan, Young Master Yan—" Jiang Chenghan called out several times, but Yan Jingshu showed no signs of waking. Frowning in concern, Jiang Chenghan grew increasingly uneasy.  

"Young Master!" A startled cry rang out. Jiang Chenghan turned to see a young maid, no more than seven or eight years old, staring wide-eyed in shock at Yan Jingshu behind him.  

"You—"  

Judging by her attire, Jiang Chenghan recognized her as a maid of the Duke’s household. But before he could finish speaking, the little maid, startled by his sudden voice, trembled violently. As if snapping out of a dream, she spun around and stumbled out of the room, screaming in panic as she ran, "Help! Someone, come quickly! Something’s happened to the Second Young Master! Help—!"  

Jiang Chenghan was too late to stop her, watching helplessly as the maid vanished in an instant. Swallowing his words, he rubbed his temples, which throbbed even more painfully from the maid’s shrieking. Then, he pulled a brocade quilt over Yan Jingshu and got out of bed himself, picking through the scattered clothes on the floor to find his own and dressing piece by piece.  

As he was putting them on, several more people burst into the room - men and women alike, all wearing identical expressions of shock at the scene before them. Jiang Chenghan glanced at them, recognizing them as servants of the Duke’s household, and addressed the one at the front.  

"Your Second Young Master is ill. Go fetch a physician at once." When the man remained frozen, unresponsive, Jiang Chenghan frowned and said sternly, "Hurry! If you delay and worsen your young master’s condition, do you want a beating?"  

That snapped the man out of it. "I—I’ll go right away!" he stammered before bolting from the room.  

Next, Jiang Chenghan turned to the remaining two. "Could one of you go to the main banquet hall and summon the Duke of Anguo, Lord Yan, as well as General Kou from the General’s residence? My name is Jiang Chenghan. Here is my token, give it to General Kou." With that, he handed over the token he had just retrieved from the pile of disheveled clothes.  

This time, he didn’t need to repeat himself. The quicker-witted of the two servants took the token and scurried off to deliver the message.  

That left a maid, about fifteen or sixteen years old. Though she didn’t move, her eyes kept darting toward Yan Jingshu on the bed, her face full of worry and anxiety.  

She desperately wanted to check on her young master, but the towering, imposing figure of Jiang Chenghan - whose origins were unknown, blocked her path, leaving her too intimidated to act.  

Jiang Chenghan noticed her hesitation and stepped aside to make way. The maid immediately rushed to the bedside, calling Yan Jingshu’s name repeatedly. But like Jiang Chenghan earlier, she couldn't wake him up, leaving her no choice but to fret anxiously by his side.  

Seeing that the maid wasn’t causing any trouble, Jiang Chenghan found a chair and sat down, lost in thought.  

Today’s incident involved the Second Young Master of the Duke of Anguo’s family. If it wasn’t resolved properly, he might never leave the Duke’s residence alive. Moreover, since he had been dragged into this mess, he needed to get to the bottom of it. He refused to be someone else’s scapegoat.  

Certainly, with his usual skills, even if he wanted to force his way out of the Duke's residence, no one could stop him. However, it was unclear what he had been drugged with. Though his mind was clear, his body was utterly exhausted, as if he had just fought on the battlefield for three days and nights until completely drained. A deep emptiness and weakness radiated from within, leaving him barely able to walk.  

Moreover, he feared that leaving might invite further schemes or put Yan Jingshu at risk, and in the end, the blame would likely fall on him. Thus, he decided to stay for the time being.  

Before long, hurried and disorderly footsteps approached from outside the window. Jiang Chenghan turned his head toward the door and saw the Duke of Anguo striding in with a grim expression, followed by a middle-aged man and a familiar maid.  

The Duke’s eyes immediately locked onto Jiang Chenghan, and his already unpleasant expression darkened further. Before he could speak, the maid pointed at Jiang Chenghan - now fully dressed, and cried out urgently, "My lord, I wasn’t lying! This man was lying on Second Young Master’s bed earlier. I saw it with my own eyes! And Second Young Master, neither of them was wearing—"  

"Silence!" Before she could finish, the middle-aged man in a dark brown silk robe behind the Duke sharply cut her off. 

As the steward of the Duke’s residence, Yan Zhong was not as ignorant or imprudent as this maid. Even if what she said was true, matters concerning Yan Jingshu’s reputation and dignity were not for her to casually discuss.  

Though Yan Zhong silenced the maid, it was already too late. Hearing her words, the Duke’s glare at Jiang Chenghan grew fiercer, his eyes burning with barely suppressed fury. 

Jiang Chenghan had mentally prepared himself and remained calm. He stood up steadily and was about to speak when the Duke abruptly disregarded him. At the sight of Yan Jingshu lying unconscious on the bed, the Duke’s anger was instantly replaced by frantic worry.  

"Shu’er—" Heart aching for his son, the Duke rushed to the bedside. But after calling Yan Jingshu’s name repeatedly with no response, his brow furrowed tightly "What happened to the Second Young Master?"  

The maid guarding Yan Jingshu trembled under the Duke’s unusually stern gaze, her legs giving way as she knelt. Tearfully, she stammered, "I-I don’t know, my lord. When I entered, the Second Young Master was already like this. No matter how much I called, he wouldn’t wake up. At the time… at the time, aside from the Second Young Master, the only other person in the room was… was that Young Master Jiang…"  

As her trembling voice trailed off, the Duke’s gaze returned to Jiang Chenghan, the fury in his eyes even more intense than before.  

With Yan Jingshu unconscious and unresponsive, the Duke’s anxiety and heartache only fueled his rage toward Jiang Chenghan, the apparent culprit. His face flushed with anger, and his finger shook as he pointed at Jiang Chenghan, roaring, "You—what have you done to my son?! You beast! Guards—seize this shameless scoundrel, seize him at once!"  

Having heard the maid’s report of Yan Jingshu’s condition, the Duke had brought men as a precaution, though only the steward had entered with him while the rest waited outside. At his command, a group of servants rushed in and lunged toward Jiang Chenghan.  

"Wait!" Jiang Chenghan had known escaping blame today would be difficult, and the Duke’s reaction was no surprise. But that didn’t mean he would submit without a fight.  

As the servants hesitated at his sudden command, Jiang Chenghan addressed the Duke. "Lord Yan, I'm Jiang Chenghan. Today, I came with General Kou to celebrate the Dowager Lady’s birthday and had the honor of meeting you earlier. I trust you still remember me. As for your son—"  

"Silence, you wretch! Do not think invoking Kou Shijun’s name will shield you! For the disgrace you’ve brought upon my son, I will demand justice even if I must take this matter to the Emperor himself!" The Duke cut him off with a furious roar.  

Of course, the Duke remembered Jiang Chenghan. They had just met not long ago. Though it was their first encounter, Jiang Chenghan had been introduced personally by General Kou Shijun, who spoke of him with high regard. Moreover, Jiang Chenghan’s tall stature and striking appearance made him hard to forget. But even if he were a favored officer under Kou Shijun, or even Kou Shijun himself, the Duke would not let this insult to his second son go unpunished.  

Jiang Chenghan understood the Duke’s distress and remained unruffled by the scolding. However, he couldn't afford to shoulder the fatal accusation of defiling the Duke’s son. Calmly, he said, "Lord Yan, I know you will not believe me now, but I have already sent for a physician. Once the doctor arrives, the truth of your son’s condition will be clear."  

Before the Duke could respond, Jiang Chenghan continued solemnly, "There is no need to have me bound. What happened today is not as it appears. Both your son and I were victims of a scheme. When he wakes up, I'm willing to confront him directly. This matter concerns our reputations and honor. Until the truth is uncovered, even if you ordered me to leave, I wouldn’t step foot outside this estate